Taking a cue from past instances of landslides that came as a hurdle, the administration would pay special attention on arrangements for dealing with landslides, if any take place, during the Char Dham Yatra, which is going to being by May 13. During review meeting scheduled at Auditorium of Vidhan Sabha on Thursday to know the status of preparation for the Yatra, the officials decided to majorly focus on finding out ways to deal with landslide, if takes at any place.
District magistrates of Haridwar, Dehradun, Pauri, Chamoli and senior officials of public works department (PWD), tourism departments will attend the meeting to be chaired by Transport Minister Surendra Rakesh. landslide is the major cause of concern for the officials since it causes hindrance on the road.
The officials would discuss the measures so that the roads could be cleared immediately. Simultaneously, there would be focus on the status of buses being deployed in the Yatra. The meet would also discuss different facilities related to heath, food and lodging.
All the district magistrates will give status of preparation on their parts. Other stakeholders of the yatra would also remain present in the meeting. It would also be discussed in the meeting that the pro landslide points should be identified in advance and additional arrangements should be put in place in the area so that the road could be cleared immediately in case of any avalanche.
Regional tourism officer, who also holds charge of officer on special duty for the Char Dham Yatra, Yogendra Kumar Gangwar said, “Several tasks related to the Yatra have already been completed. Rest, the department would complete before the deadline.”
He also accepted that dealing with the landslide would be a major challenge. So, there was requirement to take measures in advance for dealing with it. Officials from regional transport offices would also be present in the meeting. They would give account of the check posts they have set up on the points to examine the vehicles leaving on the Yatra.
Measures to check road accidents would also be discussed in the Yatra. As part of it, the transport department has already announced that the vehicles with certain inch of wheel base would be allowed for the yatra.